What theme from traditional stories is central to “The Monkey’s Paw”? (Part A)

Question

The danger of the unknown as well as the known
The danger of temptation and greed
The challenge of knowing good from evil
The challenge facing the truth as well as mystery

(Part B)

He began to talk, the little family circle regarding with rather interest this visitor from distant parts, as he squared his broad shoulders Ik the chair and spoke of wild scene and doughty deeds; of wars and plagues and strange peoples.
“Well, it’s just a bit of what might call magic, perhaps,” said the sergeant-major off-handedly
“The first man had his three wishes. Yes.” Was the reply; “I don’t know what the first two were, but the third was for death. That’s how I got the paw.”
“If the tale about the monkeys paw is not more truthful than those he has been telling us,” said Herbert, as the door closed behind their guest, just in time for him to catch the last train, “we shan’t make much out of it.”

Answer 1

Part A

The central theme from traditional stories that is evident in “The Monkey’s Paw” is The danger of temptation and greed. The story revolves around the consequences of the characters' wishes granted by the monkey's paw, which they use out of greed and desire, ultimately leading to tragic outcomes.

Part B

The excerpt highlights the skepticism of Herbert regarding the sergeant-major's stories, setting the stage for the theme of temptation and warning about the dangers associated with the monkey's paw. His dismissal of the paw's powers foreshadows the dire consequences that arise when they are tempted to make wishes. This interaction suggests an underlying tension between skepticism and the allure of supernatural powers, a common motif in stories involving magical wishes.